H.M.S. Pinafore at Forest Arts Centre in Walsall

A mother and daughter team dominated this outstanding production of a popular operetta that was Gilbert and Sullivan’s first major success.

Ann Simpson, a member of the society for many years but making her debut as producer, introduced several novel features and tinkered with the story line slightly by including songs from two other shows, Patience and Princess Ida.

The changes worked extremely well, and Ann’s daughter, Karen Marie Lyon gave a stunning performance as Josephine, proud daughter of the Pinafore’s Captain who causes a class upset on board by falling for humble sailor Ralph Rackstraw (Steve Parrish).

Karen sang beautifully, cleverly exploiting the situation when the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter, assures her that his lofty position compared with her’s is no barrier to love.

Mac Hammond excelled as Sir Joseph, especially in the song where he explained that gaining a partnership was the only ship he had been on in his climb to become leader of the King’s navy.